Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

Mitigation and Monitoring
would be defined as a square that circumscribes this circle. As a result of brushy vegetation,
water, or other conditions, the fatality area around the turbines may not be entirely searchable.
To adjust for carcasses that may not be found because of this potential bias, those areas that
cannot be searched would be measured via GPS. The estimate of birds or bats that may have
actually been present within the unsearchable areas would be extrapolated from the numbers of
fatalities found in the searchable area.
5.2.1.5 Calculation of Adjusted Fatality Estimates
Using searcher efficiency, carcass removal, and searchable area estimates determined
empirically, an overall estimate of bird and bat fatalities would be calculated. The resulting
estimates would be larger than the numbers of carcasses found for both birds and bats.
5.2.1.6 Survey Report
After the completion of each annual fatality survey a report of findings would be prepared. A
summary of the results of the fatality searches would include recorded data for each carcass
found, including the variables described above. Results of the carcass removal and searcher
efficiency studies would also be presented. An estimated fatality rate would be calculated as
presented above. A discussion of the species of carcasses discovered during the fatality search
would also be presented. Recommendations for any modifications to subsequent postconstruction
avian and bat fatality studies at the project site would also be presented. This report
would be distributed to interested stakeholders including USFWS and VDGIF.
5.2.2 Facility Threatened and Endangered Species Monitoring
To monitor the potential cumulative effects of its actions on threatened or endangered species,
NASA, in cooperation with USFWS, has developed a protected species monitoring plan for
Wallops Island (NASA, 2010c). NASA would implement this plan in spring 2010. NASA will
continue to coordinate with CNWR and USDA personnel in monitoring the Wallops Island
beach for Piping Plover and Red Knot activity. These personnel routinely monitor Assateague,
Wallops Island, Assawoman, and Metompkin Island beaches for Piping Plovers during nesting
season. Red Knots would be expected to be present in areas suitable for Piping Plover nesting
during similar times of year. Any Piping Plover nests discovered would be appropriately marked
using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, identified with signage, and closed to personnel
or visitor access. FAA lighting requirements on the turbines would be satisfied with flashing
lights rather than steady-burning lights, as studies indicate that flashing lights result in
significantly fewer avian fatalities. An annual summary report of the monitoring results and
events will be distributed to interested stakeholders including USFWS and VDGIF.
5.3 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
Adaptive management is a tool to help agencies and organizations make better decisions in a
context of uncertainty as more information becomes available. Adaptive management utilizes
ongoing, data collection and analysis to assess and if necessary, to modify existing processes.
For the Alternative Energy Project, NASA based its assessment of risks to birds and bats on
preconstruction data. This methodology carries inherent uncertainties, and as such adjustments to
this monitoring protocol may be made as deemed necessary. For example, NASA may consider
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